Catherine de Saint-Pierre was Bernardin de Saint-Pierre's sister. Although his letters to her have not survived, we do have her letters to him. While he and his brothers travelled the world from Mauritius to Haiti, Catherine remained in their native Normandy. News and merchandise from far-flung corners of the globe came to her, but she never moved. Nevertheless she played an important role in the family dynamics, as she was often the one who gave family members news about each other. The trials and tribulations of her life in Dieppe fill the pages of her letters, but, in addition to details of her latest ailments, we gain a sense of someone who was very adept at navigating social networks to get the best for her and her family at as little cost as possible. This article reveals the hidden practical realities of getting things done on a budget in Dieppe at the end of the eighteenth century. It highlights the range and versatility of the networks upon which Catherine called as a means of saving money and provides us with some insider details on everyday expenses and exchanges invaluable to all those looking to better understand the economics and legalities of period.
